Highway to Homicide Read online

  Peaches paused from rubbing oil on her newly-hairless leg to think. “Hank did get in a fight with a local fisherman a while back. You know Jerry Franklin, right? He hangs out at the Tipsy Seagull. Both of them had had a lot to drink one night, and the fight appeared to be over something to do with money. Jerry’s the nicest guy in the world, and Hank really pushed him. I don’t think he wanted to fight. But once you get punched? Well, it’s hard not to fight back. He’s not the type to blow up a barge, though.”

  “I think you’re right about that,” Dylan said. As a side note to Cookie, he added, “He’s the kind of guy to plow a driveway or mow a lawn for an elderly neighbor who might not have the funds to afford it.”

  Peaches said, “Exactly. Sorry I couldn’t be of more help. I sure don’t like Hank or care about him losing the barge, but I hear innocent people died.” She sighed. “So horrible.”

  “It is,” Cookie agreed. “Thank you for your time, Peaches.”

  Dylan and Cookie let themselves out of the waxing room into the lobby of the salon. As they walked by the front desk, the hairstylist, Mindy, was behind the counter flipping through a magazine. But what caught Cookie’s eye was a clear glass jar with money in it and a paper label on it that read Free Rain. She laughed softly to herself as they stepped outside. Her mother had certainly won the hearts of the residents of Secret Seal Isle.

  When Dylan and she walked away from the salon, Cookie worried about her mother. Rain could handle a lot of adversity, but she knew that sitting cooped up in a jail cell with little to do and nobody to talk to was pure torture for the high energy woman.

  Dylan jarred Cookie from her thoughts. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to make sure I never get on Peaches’ bad side.”

  Cookie shuddered. “I have to agree there. But evil as she is in a break up, I don’t think she’s a killer.”

  “I agree. Cross one off our list.”

  Cookie’s thoughts returned to her mother, and she said, “I’d like to stop by the sheriff’s office to see Rain if you don’t mind.”

  “Not at all.” Dylan slipped his arm around Cookie’s waist, offering her his support. “I was thinking about her too. I wonder how she’s handling the prison blues.”

  “Let’s find out.”

  Chapter 9

  When Cookie and Dylan stepped inside the sheriff’s building, they noticed Deputy Sheriff June Loon was in her office, and as they got closer they discovered a number of items were laid out on the woman’s desk. Items that spoke of sexual activities. Fleece-lined leather handcuffs, silk rope ties, and a delicate looking whip were tagged, and June was inspecting a pair nipple clamps.

  “What a man child,” June said as she looked up at Cookie and Dylan and giggled. Cookie’s heart stopped for a moment, worried she was about to hear way more about June’s personal life than anyone would want to know. June clarified her laughter. “He still clips his mittens to his winter jacket.”

  Cookie blinked. Mittens? She glanced at the nipple clamps and then to Dylan. They both chortled, realizing the deputy’s mistake. Cookie asked, “Where did you get those items?”

  “Hale’s house. They were under his bed.” June’s expression turned stony. “Your mother’s boyfriend is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. I had no idea he was an interrogator.” She shuddered. “And to think I almost went out with him.”

  Cookie’s anger spiked, because the truth behind June’s relationship with Hale was that June put effort into stealing him away from Rain, something that was never going to happen, but the woman’s deluded mind clearly saw the situation differently.

  Dylan stepped in before Cookie said something to antagonize the deputy. “Interrogator?” he asked.

  “Goodness, Dylan Creed. If you’re going to be doing this job you’ve really got to keep up with the times. Hale was likely planning to torture anyone who got in the way of bringing the condo development down.” She lifted the whip, which was so dainty it bowed in June’s hand. “This is for whip boarding.”

  “I think you mean waterboarding,” Cookie corrected.

  June rolled her eyes. “Same thing. Really you two. Watch some Netflix shows, would you?”

  Dylan elbowed Cookie and picked up the cuffs. “If he’s into torture, why are these lined?”

  “They are to keep the marks from being detected,” June said with an air of confidence that made Cookie think she might actually believe what was spewing from her mouth.

  But she had to admit, it was amusing. Cookie decided to play along and grabbed the silk ropes and fondled them in her fingers. “Oh, my.” She winked at Dylan. “Soft. I bet these wouldn’t leave any marks either.”

  Dylan’s eyes turned to a stormy sea gray and his voice lowered. “Probably not. Especially if the one doing the tying knows his stuff.”

  “Exactly,” interjected June, which was good considering thoughts that had nothing to do with the investigation, or Rain, the reason Cookie and Dylan had come to the sheriff’s office in the first place, had taken over both Cookie and Dylan’s minds. And that was not what they should be focused on.

  Cookie tore her gaze from Dylan and blew out a long breath to clear her mind. She looked at June and searched for how to let June know what the items found at Hale’s really were. “June, my time as an FBI agent gave me a view into a side of life many don’t know about. I’m afraid the items you have here could also be adult toys.”

  June frowned. “Adult toys?”

  “Yes,” Cookie said, patiently waiting for the woman to catch on. When June began to inspect the nipple clamps in wonder, Cookie added, “Of a sexual nature.”

  June’s mouth gaped open. And then her cheeks heated up to fire engine red. The nipple clamps she’d been holding clattered on the desk when she dropped them like a hot potato. Lifting her hands in the air, she screeched, “Zeke! I need hand sanitizer! And bleach! And—ugh. Stat!”

  Dylan pushed Cookie toward the hallway and said, “We’re just going to go visit Rain now, okay?”

  June had her eyes squeezed shut as she held her hands out from her portly little body and began to shake. Cookie and Dylan were shaking too from silent laughter. They hurried to get far enough away they could let it out. When they got to Rain’s cell they lost it.

  “What is so funny?” Rain asked.

  Cookie tried to answer. She really did. But Dylan and she had the kind of laughing fit that one struggles to stop. And even when she did, it took just one look from Dylan to set her off again.

  “Cookie!” Rain cried out, desperate to know what the joke was.

  It was only after Rain appeared to be tearing her hair out that Cookie finally managed to control herself. “June found some items under Hale’s bed.” She hiccupped and swallowed hard to keep another outburst in. “And she though they were—” It was no use.

  “What? What did she think they were?” Rain asked.

  Dylan managed to speak this time. “Interrogation equipment. She was—" He spit out a quick laugh before he regained control. “Mitten clips!” He bent over, unable to resist his urge to cackle.

  “She thought—” Cookie tried to explain before she gave into her giggles again.

  Rain chuckled as she began to catch on. “She found Hale’s version of a go bag. The handcuffs and rope?”

  Cookie nodded, afraid to try to speak.

  Rain said, “And mitten clips—oh my.” She joined them in their laughter.

  When Cookie couldn’t laugh anymore, she peered through the bars of Rain’s cell and took stock of the new contents. “Mom, where did you get such a nice blow-up mattress?”

  “Pam Stevens.” Rain sat down and bounced on the mattress. “Said I wasn’t going to be able to fight for justice without a good night’s sleep. Isn’t she the sweetest?”

  “Very sweet.” Cookie agreed that the third-grade teacher was a very nice woman. She noticed there was a small camp table set up next to the bed and a one-cup coffee machine had materialized along with take-out style creamers
and sugar packets. “How about the coffee machine?”

  “Daisy. A girl needs her morning cup of joe when dealing with the long arm of the law.”

  Cookie smiled. “You weren’t a fugitive, Mom.”

  “I could have been. Do you realize if I’d been smart and grabbed my go bag to get out of here after the explosion, I’d be up in Canada right now? I’d probably be eating poutine.” Rain placed her hand on her belly. “I’m sooo hungry,” she whined.

  “Did June not feed you lunch?” Dylan asked.

  “She did. But that was hours ago.” Rain placed the back of her hand on her forehead. “Cookie, don’t I look piqued?”

  “Mom, I’m sure you’re going to be fine.” She pictured June’s assistants in hazmat suits sterilizing June’s office. “I think Zeke and Ned are a little busy right now but I’m sure they’ll feed you soon.”

  Rain flopped back on her mattress with a dramatic sigh. “I’m lightheaded. My blood sugar’s low. You have no idea the stress I’m under.”

  Dylan asked, “Is that a bag from the Holey Donut I see under your table?”

  “Oh!” Rain got off the bed and squatted down to retrieve it. The paper bag rustled as she peered inside. “Well, look at that.” She pulled one out and looked at Dylan. “My savior!” She bit into it and moaned with pleasure. “I’m going to live after all.”

  “Is that what June gave you for lunch?” Cookie asked as anger over the improper food June was providing spiked in her. “A bag of gourmet donut holes?”

  Rain swallowed her mouthful of sweets. “Oh no, dear. I got a Cobb salad and a tasty little roll to go with it.”

  Dylan spoke under his breath. “How inhumane.”

  Cookie elbowed him. “Where did the pastries come from?”

  “Stone.” Rain stuck her hand out of the cell holding the one she’d taken a bite from. “Bacon and peanut butter. You have to try it.”

  Cookie shook her head. The reformed pot dealer named Stone flitted from business to business to support himself and his latest endeavor was a food truck where he made donut holes in odd flavor choices. But considering the novelty of it, and apparently a knack for tasty flavor profiles, he did quite well.

  Dylan reached out. “Can I try it? That sounds delicious.”

  It was clear to Cookie that Rain wasn’t suffering for creature comforts, and based on the numerous items she’d already obtained in her short time in jail, she wasn’t lacking for company either. Cookie said, “I’m glad to see you’re fine, Mom. We just stopped by to check in.”

  “I’m not sure fine is the right word.” Rain punched one of the feather pillows on her bed and adjusted it behind her back to be more comfortable. “But I’m a survivor. Obviously, you didn’t come to spring me, but I’m sure you’re doing your best to get me out of here.”

  Cookie nearly sighed at the dramatics. “Dylan and I are doing everything we can. It’s time we got back to the investigation, though.”

  “Very well.” Rain let out a heavy sigh. “I should nap anyway to keep up my strength.”

  Cookie chuckled. “That’s an excellent idea. I’ll see you tomorrow, Mom.”

  Rain lifted her hand to wave as if she barely had the strength before Dylan and Cookie left her and headed back to the Inn.

  Chapter 10

  Cookie leaned back against the leather passenger seat of Dylan’s truck as they made the short trip back to the inn. “All that talk about food made me hungry too,” she said. “I sure hope Scarlett made something good.”

  “She’s become quite the domestic goddess, hasn’t she?” Dylan asked. “When I first met her, she was a high-powered lawyer with an intimidating presence.”

  “You thought she was intimidating?”

  “Not to me, but I could see how she made attorneys cower. I bet she was good at her job.”

  “Very.” Cookie thought about how Scarlett had left her practice to come live on the island with her and Rain. While her friend had been happy before, she had wanted a break. It had turned into a much longer one than Scarlett had originally planned. Something about the relaxing way of island life had seduced her. She’d fallen in love with her photography shoots and slowly taken on more responsibilities at the inn. Truth was, Cookie believed Scarlett no longer had any intention of returning to her city life and fast-paced career.

  It was a change Cookie understood. Two years ago, when she’d arrived on Secret Seal Isle, she thought she’d been banished to a life of isolation and boredom. But as time went by, Cookie had fallen into the gentle ways of island life the way Scarlett had. The island had become home. She’d also met the love of her life.

  As Dylan shifted the truck into park and turned off the ignition with a click, Cookie said, “Hold on.” She looked deeply into his eyes, and her heart filled with so much emotion she thought it might burst. She smiled. “I love you so much, Dylan Creed.”

  He smiled back and those grey eyes that resembled the ocean on an overcast day were full of the warmth of his feelings for her. “I love you too, Cookie James.” He leaned in and kissed her. And she knew the real reason Secret Seal Isle would always be home was because of this man.

  Cookie sighed when they finally broke apart. She knew they had to go inside, but she didn’t want to share Dylan or her time with anyone else. “I don’t suppose we could just sneak up to my room and forget about dinner, could we?”

  “I’ve got a better idea. Let’s take our dinner upstairs so we don’t ever have to come down.” Dylan reached for the handle of his door to get out.

  Once Cookie’s feet thudded on the ground she said, “I knew you were more than a pretty face.”

  He grabbed her hand and squeezed her fingers as they walked through the front door as silently as they could. The lights were dim as if people had turned in for the night, and when they tiptoed past the dining room, Cookie saw why. Scarlett and Cade were at a small table in the corner. Candlelight flickered over their faces as they held hands on top of the table. Their food appeared as if they’d barely touched it. Scarlett laughed softly at something Cade said as Dylan and Cookie made their way to the kitchen.

  “Well that makes our plan easy,” Dylan said, walking over to the cabinet to get plates.

  Cookie slid a spatula under a piece of salmon to remove the tender flesh from its skin. “It sure does.” Her unease about Scarlett and Cade had faded. Heck, it had all but disappeared, and she asked, “Do you think Cade would ever consider moving to the island?”

  Dylan chuckled as he scooped chunky horseradish mashed potatoes onto their plates. “How did you go from ‘is this guy good enough for my friend?’ to moving him here?”

  Cookie shrugged. “Maybe it’s because I want everyone to be as happy as we are.” She thought about the way Cade and Scarlett hadn’t eaten their dinner and smiled. “Or maybe it’s because the two of them can’t stop touching each other. We might be witnessing a case of love at first sight.”

  “You might be right about that.” Dylan gathered silverware for them. “Cade doesn’t have a lot of ties and tends to bounce around. But I know he would like to settle down and have a family. I don’t see why that couldn’t happen here.”

  Two bottles clashed when Cookie grabbed beers from the fridge. “I like that plan.” She groaned. “Would you listen to us?”

  Dylan chuckled. “Enough about them.” He tilted his head toward the doorway as he held their dinner plates in his hands. “I’ve got a picnic to get too. Coming?”

  Cookie nodded with a grin before they moved stealthily toward the stairs. She glanced into the dining room as they passed by and paused for a second when she saw Cade had leaned forward. She knew she should keep moving, but when Cade kissed Scarlett, Cookie was frozen as she watched her best friend falling in love.

  “Awww,” she said softly before tearing herself away from the Hallmark movie moment. Then she nearly floated up the stairs to her room as she anticipated a romantic evening of her own.

  Chapter 11

  Su
n streamed through Cookie’s window, warming her face. She rolled over, her hand searching for Dylan. When she found nothing but an abandoned space and an empty pillow, she reluctantly opened her eyes and blinked the sleep away.

  “Good morning, sleeping beauty,” Dylan said from his spot near the window.

  Cookie groaned. “What time is it?”

  “Just after eight.”

  “Eight? What? Why? It’s so early.” She rolled over and pulled the pillow over her head. Cookie didn’t exactly relish mornings. She heard Dylan chuckle and then the thunk of a mug on her nightstand. Lifting her head, Cookie sniffed the air and was rewarded with the rich scent of glorious coffee. She sat up and reached for the cup as she said, “Thank you. You’re an angel.”

  Dylan leaned down and kissed the top of her head. “You’re welcome. But Scarlett made it. I just retrieved it.”

  “Scarlett’s up?” That vision of her and Cade cozying up in the candlelight flashed in her mind, and suddenly she was wide awake. Her desire to get the details from the night before was perhaps the one thing in the world that could get her moving that early in the morning. With the mug still in her hand, she swung her legs out of the bed and said, “I’ll be ready for breakfast in ten minutes.”

  Nine minutes later, Cookie emerged from the bathroom, dressed in jeans and a T-shirt, her hair pulled back into a ponytail, and her face freshly washed. The empty mug was in her hand as she looked at Dylan and said, “Ready?”

  “I’ve been ready,” he said with a chuckle and followed her down the stairs.

  “Good morning!” Cookie called when she spotted Scarlett and Cade at the dining room table. The table was full of pancakes, scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, and a tray of pastries. Cookie grabbed a biscuit and turned to Scarlett. “Whoa. Did you do all of this?”